Teenage girl groped by cyclist as bike pervert strikes again

POLICE are investigating a report of an indecent assault in Sunderland.

It happened at 2.50pm on Tuesday, March 25, as the 17-year-old girl was walking at Herrington Burn in Houghton, when she was approached by a man on a bike.

The offender cycled alongside the victim and touched her over the top of her clothing before cycling away from the area. Police said the woman was shocked following the incident but was not injured.

The suspect is described as white, aged about 30 years old, of slim build. He was wearing a high vis jacket and a black cycle helmet.

Police believe the incident is linked to other similar incidents which have happened in the same area over recent months.

Neighbourhood Inspector Lisa Musgrove said: “We’re doing everything possible to trace the man involved, we believe that he has committed the same type of offence in the area before.

“This location may be his route to work and members of the public may see him on his bike in the area of Herrington Burn and Success Road regularly.

“Extra patrols are being carried out to reassure residents, gather information and trace the man responsible and I’d urge anyone with information or who sees a man of this description to contact police straight away.”